Beverage consumption device

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a device for consuming beverages, e.g. shots of alcohol. The tube, cylinder or straw preferably comprises a transparent acrylic cylinder having a tapered interior chamber having a volume between 0.5 of an ounce and 2.0 fluid ounces, a first opening and a second opening, an exterior grip and a stopper guide. The second opening has an O-ring and is closed by a stopper. The stopper has a finger grip placed above the stopper guide and is biased closed by a spring. The tapered interior chamber volume is preferably 1.3 fluid ounces and the cylinder has a preferred height of seven inches.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is a device for consuming beverages, e.g. shots of alcohol.

BACKGROUND ART

Hard alcohol such as vodka or tequila is often difficult to consume quickly or on it own due to its taste and high alcohol content, e.g. when consuming a “shot of alcohol.” Accordingly, while taking a shot, such alcoholic beverages are often followed by or “chased” with another beverage, namely a chaser, e.g. soda or juice, which washes down the shot, leaving the consumer without the taste of the hard alcohol and with the taste of the “chaser.” For example, a shot of whiskey is often “chased” by an easier to drink beer or soft drink. Accordingly, a device that more effectively washes down or “chases” a quantity of hard alcohol with an easier to drink beverage or “chaser” is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a device for consuming beverages, e.g. shots of alcohol. The tube, cylinder or straw preferably comprises a transparent acrylic cylinder having a tapered interior chamber having a volume between 0.5 fluid ounces and 2.0 fluid ounces, a first opening and a second opening, an exterior grip and a stopper guide. The second opening has an O-ring and is closed by a stopper. The stopper has a finger grip placed above the stopper guide and is biased closed by a spring. The tapered interior chamber volume is preferably 1.3 fluid ounces and the cylinder has a preferred height of seven inches.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects and features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the invention with the stopper in the closed position;

FIG. 3 is a side cross-section view of a preferred embodiment of the invention with the stopper in the open position;

FIG. 4 is a perspective exploded view of a preferred embodiment of a stopper with a finger grip and O-ring;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the spring;

FIG. 6 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the invention without the stopper;

FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the invention inserted into a cup.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Various embodiments are now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of one or more embodiments. It may be evident, however, that such embodiment(s) may be practiced without these specific details.

In the following paragraphs, the present invention will be described in detail by way of example with reference to the attached drawings. Throughout this description, the preferred embodiment and examples shown should be considered as exemplars, rather than as limitations on the present invention. As used herein, the “present invention” refers to any one of the embodiments of the invention described herein, and any equivalents. Furthermore, reference to various feature(s) of the “present invention” throughout this document does not mean that all claimed embodiments or methods must include the referenced feature(s). The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventors of carrying out their invention. Various modifications, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art, since the general principles of the present invention have been defined herein specifically to provide a beverage consumption device.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the invention 10 is shown. The invention 10 comprises a cylinder 20. The cylinder 20 is preferably made of acrylic if the cylinder is to be used in conjunction with liquids with forty percent or more alcohol. The acrylic is also preferably transparent to allow users to sec the contents of the cylinder 20. The cylinder has a first opening 22 and a second opening 24 (not shown in FIG. 1.) The second opening 24 is closed by a stopper 30. The stopper 30 is preferably attached to the cylinder 20 by stopper guides 32 and 34. The stopper 30 also preferably has a finger grip 36. A side view of a preferred embodiment of the cylinder 20 is shown in FIG. 6.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a cross-sectional view of the embodiment in FIG. 1 is shown. The cylinder 20 preferably has an interior chamber 28. The interior chamber is preferably tapered and has a volume less than or equal to 2.0 fluid ounces and greater than or equal to 0.5 fluid ounces. The interior chamber 28 is preferably tapered. for manufacturing purposes. A preferred embodiment with an interior chamber 28 with a volume of 1.3 fluid ounces has advantages discussed below.

The second opening 24 of the cylinder 20 is preferably closed when the stopper 30 is in a first position. The second opening 24 is tapered so when stopper 30 is in first position gasket 25 will be held against the tapered wall, creating a seal. The gasket 25, e.g. an O-ring, with an exterior diameter greater than opening 24 helps seal the opening 24 closed when the stopper 30 is in the first position. The gasket 25 is preferably made of EPDM rubber. The stopper 30 is preferably biased to the first position by a spring 40, preferably located between the finger grip 36 and an exterior grip 26. The spring 40 is preferably made of stainless steel. The stopper 30 preferably slides through the guides 32 and 34 and the finger grip 36 is stopped at the exterior grip 26 on the cylinder 20 for the second position. The position shown in FIG. 2 is the first position or closed position.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a side cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 2 is shown but with the stopper 30 in second, or open, position. Referring now to FIG. 4, a side partially-exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the stopper 30 is shown. The stopper 30 preferably has a stopper end 31. The stopper end 31 has a first diameter 33 and a second diameter 35 where the first diameter 33 exceeds the second diameter 35 and the second diameter 35 is less than the interior diameter of the gasket 25. Accordingly, the gasket 25 remains on the stopper 30. This preferred configuration helps seal the second opening 24 in the first position. A preferred embodiment of the spring 40 is shown (uncompressed) in FIG. 5. A side view of a preferred embodiment of the invention (without stopper 30) is shown in FIG. 6.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention placed in a cup 100 is shown. Preferably, the cylinder or straw 20 has sufficient height, or is tall enough, that the first opening 22, finger grip 36 and exterior grip 26 are above the lip 110 of the cup 100. A preferred height for the invention is seven (7) inches so as to be tall enough for many standard cup sizes such as 16 ounce SOLO® cups. However, the device is still functional in taller containers. As shown, the invention 10 is inserted into a cup 100 containing a liquid 200, e.g. a chaser. A portion of a first liquid 250, e.g. a shot of alcohol, is then poured into the cylinder 20 at the first opening 22. A shot of alcohol is typically between 0.5 to 2.0 fluid ounces so the interior chamber 28 of the cylinder 20 should be large enough in volume to contain a shot of alcohol. Typically, a second liquid 200, chaser, is smoother or better tasting than the first liquid, e.g. shot of alcohol. Next, the user preferably lifts the cup 100 and applies suction to opening 22, like using a straw, while the user pulls finger grip 36. The suction begins moving the first liquid 250 into the mouth of the user. By pulling the finger grip 36, the stopper 30 is moved from the first, or closed, position to a second, or open, position and opens the second opening 24 on the cylinder 20. By opening the cylinder 20, the second liquid 200, e.g. chaser, is allowed to enter the interior chamber 28 of the cylinder 20 where the first liquid 250, e.g. shot of alcohol, was previously located. The chaser thus “chases” the shot. Because the chaser follows the shot, the user chases the shot down, and is preferably left with the taste of the chaser 200 instead of the taste of the shot. If the interior chamber 28 has a volume of approximately 1.3 fluid ounces, it is found that the second liquid better chases the taste of the first liquid and makes for a smoother drinking experience. Once consumed, the user releases the finger grip 36 and the spring 40 biases the stopper 30 back to close the second opening 24.

Thus, an improved beverage consumption device is described above. In each of the above embodiments, the different positions and structures of the present invention are described separately in each of the embodiments. However, it is the full intention of the inventor of the present invention that the separate aspects of each embodiment described herein may be combined with the other embodiments described herein. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that adaptations and modifications of the just-described preferred embodiment can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.

Various modifications and alterations of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, which is defined by the accompanying claims. It should be noted that steps recited in any method claims below do not necessarily need to be performed in the order that they are recited. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize variations in performing the steps from the order in which they are recited. In addition, the lack of mention or discussion of a feature, step, or component provides the basis for claims where the absent feature or component is excluded by way of a proviso or similar claim language.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not of limitation. Likewise, the various diagrams may depict an example architectural or other configuration for the invention, which is done to aid in understanding the features and functionality that may be included in the invention. The invention is not restricted to the illustrated example architectures or configurations, but the desired features may be implemented using a variety of alternative architectures and configurations. Indeed, it will be apparent to one of skill in the art how alternative functional, logical or physical partitioning and configurations may be implemented to implement the desired features of the present invention. Also, a multitude of different constituent module names other than those depicted herein may be applied to the various partitions. Additionally, with regard to flow diagrams, operational descriptions and method claims, the order in which the steps arc presented herein shall not mandate that various embodiments be implemented to perform the recited functionality in the same order unless the context dictates otherwise.

Although the invention is described above in terms of various exemplary embodiments and implementations, it should be understood that the various features, aspects and functionality described in one or more of the individual embodiments are not limited in their applicability to the particular embodiment with which they are described, but instead may be applied, alone or in various combinations, to one or more of the other embodiments of the invention, whether or not such embodiments are described and whether or not such features are presented as being a part of a described embodiment. Thus the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments.

Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations thereof, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open ended as opposed to limiting. As examples of the foregoing: the term “including” should be read as meaning “including, without limitation” or the like; the term “example” is used to provide exemplary instances of the item in discussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof; the terms “a” or “an” should be read as meaning “at least one,” “one or more” or the like; and adjectives such as “conventional,” “traditional,” “normal,” “standard,” “known” and terms of similar meaning should not be construed as the item described to a given time period or to an item available as of a given time, but instead should be read to encompass conventional, traditional, normal, or standard technologies that may be available or known now or at any time in the future. Likewise, where this document refers to technologies that would be apparent or known to one of ordinary skill in the art, such technologies encompass those apparent or known to the skilled artisan now or at any time in the future.

A group of items linked with the conjunction “and” should not be read as requiring that each and every one of those items be present in the grouping, but rather should be read as “and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. Similarly, a group of items linked with the conjunction “or” should not be read as requiring mutual exclusivity among that group, but rather should also be read as “and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. Furthermore, although items, elements or components of the invention may be described or claimed in the singular, the plural is contemplated to be within the scope thereof unless limitation to the singular is explicitly stated.

The presence of broadening words and phrases such as “one or more,” “at least,” “but not limited to” or other like phrases in some instances shall not be read to mean that the narrower case is intended or required in instances where such broadening phrases may be absent. The use of the term “module” does not imply that the components or functionality described or claimed as part of the module are all configured in a common package. Indeed, any or all of the various components of a module, whether control logic or other components, may be combined in a single package or separately maintained and may further be distributed across multiple locations.

As will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art after reading this document, the illustrated embodiments and their various alternatives may be implemented without confinement to the illustrated examples. For example, block diagrams and their accompanying description should not be construed as mandating a particular architecture or configuration.

The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A beverage consumption device comprising: a cylinder with an interior chamber having a volume greater than or equal to 0.5 fluid ounces, a first opening and a second opening, the second opening having a gasket and being closed by a stopper in a first position and being open when the stopper is in a second position, where the stopper is biased into the first position by a spring.
 2. The beverage consumption device of claim 1 where the cylinder further comprises an exterior grip and where the stopper further comprises a finger grip and the spring is located between the exterior grip and the finger grip. 3 The beverage consumption device of claim 2 where the cylinder further comprises a stopper guide below the finger grip.
 4. The beverage consumption device of claim 1 where the cylinder comprises acrylic.
 5. The beverage consumption device of claim 4 where the acrylic is transparent.
 6. The beverage consumption device of claim 1 where the interior chamber is tapered.
 7. The beverage consumption device of claim 1 where the gasket has an interior diameter and the stopper has a stopper end that is inserted into the interior diameter of the gasket; the stopper end having a first diameter and a second diameter where the first diameter exceeds the second diameter and the second diameter is less than the interior diameter of the gasket.
 8. The beverage consumption device of claim 1 where the interior chamber volume is less than or equal to 2.0 fluid ounces.
 9. A beverage consumption device comprising: a cylinder with a tapered interior chamber having a volume greater than or equal to one fluid ounce, a first opening and a second opening, the second opening having a gasket and being closed by a stopper in a first position and being open when the stopper is in a second position, where the stopper is biased into the first position by a spring.
 10. The beverage consumption device of claim 9 where the cylinder further comprises an exterior grip and where the stopper further comprises a finger grip.
 11. The beverage consumption device of claim 10 where the cylinder further comprises a stopper guide below the finger grip.
 12. The beverage consumption device of claim 9 where the cylinder comprises acrylic.
 13. The beverage consumption device of claim 12 where the acrylic is transparent.
 14. The beverage consumption device of claim 9 where the gasket has an interior diameter and the stopper has a stopper end that is inserted into the interior diameter of the gasket; the stopper end having a first diameter and a second diameter where the first diameter exceeds the second diameter and the second diameter is less than the interior diameter of the gasket.
 15. The beverage consumption device of claim 9 where the interior chamber volume is less than or equal to 2.0 fluid ounces.
 16. The beverage consumption device of claim 9 where the interior chamber volume is 1.3 fluid ounces.
 17. A beverage consumption straw comprising: a transparent acrylic cylinder having a tapered interior chamber having a volume between one fluid ounce and 1.5 fluid ounces, a first opening and a second opening, an exterior grip and a stopper guide, the second opening having an O-ring and being closed by a stopper in a first position and being open when the stopper is in a second position, where the stopper has a finger grip placed above the stopper guide and is biased into the first position by a spring.
 18. The beverage consumption straw of claim 17 where the O-ring has an interior diameter and the stopper has a stopper end that inserts into the interior diameter of the O-ring; the stopper end having a first diameter and a second diameter where the first diameter exceeds the second diameter and the second diameter is less than the interior diameter of the O-ring;
 19. The beverage consumption straw of claim 17 where the interior chamber volume is 1.3 fluid ounces.
 20. The beverage consumption straw of claim 17 where the cylinder has a height of seven inches. 